#1. Rita Nzelu
Rita Nzelu is a famous Nollywood actress, model, television personality, entrepreneur and a philanthropist. She was born and bred in Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria, where she completed both her primary, secondary and tertiary education and obtained both her First School Leaving Certificate, West African Senior School Certificate and Bachelor’s Degree.
In 1990, Rita Nzelu joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) and acted in her first movie “Living in Bondage” a movie that brought Nollywood to prominence. The movie “Living in Bondage” became a blockbuster and skyrocket her to limelight.
Rita Nzelu has acted in more than 100 Nollywood movies which include Nneka the Pretty Serpent, Long John, Odenigbo, Ukwa, Living in Bondage, Baby Mama, Unforgiven, etc. She always play the role of a nagging wife in Nollywood movies. Rita Nzelu is currently married to Simeon Okoro and the marriage is blessed with beautiful kids.
Rita Nzelu later quit acting and relocated to London, United Kingdom with her family and became devoted to her husband Simeon Okoro and her children.
Rita Nzelu in the cause of her acting career has won several awards which include Best Actress of the Year at the City People Entertainment Awards, Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Most Promising Actress in Nigeria at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Rita Nzelu has established herself in the Nigeria movie industry and was one of the best paid actresses in Nigeria before quitting the industry. She has also won the Best Comedy Actress in Nigeria at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in the Nollywood comedy movie “Ukwa” which she starred alongside with Nkem Owoh.
#2. Patience Ozokwor
Patience Ozokwor popularly called Mama G is a Nigerian actress, musician and fashion designer. She began her career in 1998 and became popular in 1999 after starring in the movie, Authority.
Patience has starred in over 200 movies, and has acted with prominent artistes like Olu Jacobs, Ini Edo, Rita Dominic, e.t.c .
She is an actress widely known for her cantankerous roles in the Nigerian movie industry.
Patience Ozokwor was born on March 25, 1958 in Ngwo, Enugu State, Nigeria. She attended Abimbola Gibson Memorial School, Lagos. Later on, she was admitted into Methodist Girls School, Yaba but relocated to Enugu with her family due to the civil war.
Subsequently, she attended Teachers’ Training College, Afikpo. Then, moved on to the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu to study Fine and Applied Arts specializing in graphics.
Acting for Ozokwor started at an early age. At a young age, her uncle gave her novels like Oliver Twist, Jane Eyre, e.t.c She began reading those novels even when she couldn’t comprehend the words.
Eventually, the books exposed her into the world of literature and creativity. She was also registered at the Takwa Bay Children’s Club and was socializing with other children through different activities. All of these in return gave her more exposure and confidence.
After college, Patience taught for four years before delving into broadcasting. Next, she was employed as an announcer for Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Enugu until its closure. At FRCN, she took part in radio theatres and other media and entertaining activities
After FRCN shut down and workers retrenched, Patience engaged in petty trading until she met Chika Okpala. Okpala’s crew assigned her a role in a commercial without auditioning; and she acted well.
p>After, she featured in a soap opera, Someone Cares. Subsequently, she played challenging roles in Amina and Odum film. So, in 1999, she was chosen for the movie Authority. Authority was the blessing that opened other doors.
Currently, Patience is a widow. She was married at age 19, but her husband died in 2000. Since then, she has been a single mother and recently a grandmother.
#3. Uche Ebere Agu
Uche Ebere Agu is a famous Nollywood actress and a television personality. She acts mostly in epic and glamour movies alongside with Ngozi Ezeonu, Ebele Okaro, Ken Erics, Genevieve Nnaji, Stephanie Okereke, Yul Edochie and other top Nollywood celebrities. She always plays the role of a house wife, mother in-law and a caring mother in Nollywood movies.
Uche Ebere Agu was born on 10th March 1971 in Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. She was born and bred in Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria, where she completed both her primary and secondary school education and obtained both her First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate.
She was introduced into the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) by Patience Ozokwor. She came to limelight after playing the role of a mother to Odira Nwobu and a cheating wife to Dede One Day in the Nollywood popular comedy movie “Joseph the Dreamer.”
Uche Ebere Agu has acted in more than 90 Nollywood movies.
Uche Ebere Agu in the cause of her career as an actress has been nominated for several awards which include Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, Most Promising Actress in Nigeria at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Best Actress (Igbo) at the City People Entertainment Awards.
#4. Chinwe Owoh
Chinwe Owoh is a veteran Nollywood actress, television personality and a philanthropist. She is referred to as the big mama of Nollywood. She is popularly known for her ability to cry in movies. Chinwe Owoh acts mostly in tragedy and sorrowful movies. She was born and bred in Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria.
Chinwe Owoh completed her primary, secondary and tertiary education in Enugu, Nigeria. After completing her education, Chinwe Owoh joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) in 1999. In 2001, she acted in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Mothering Sunday” which brought her to limelight.
Chinwe Owoh always acts as a mother, queen, step mother, grandma and widow in many Nollywood movies. Chinwe Owoh is very talented and gifted in acting.
Chinwe Owoh has acted in more than 250 Nollywood movies.
Chinwe Owoh has acted in several Nollywood movies alongside with Patience Ozokwor, Nkem Owoh, Mercy Johnson, Ken Erics, Destiny Etiko, Rachael Okonkwo, Junior Pope Odunwodo, Chacha Eke and Regina Daniels.
Chinwe Owoh is currently married with many children and grandchildren.
Chinwe Owoh has won several movie awards which include Most Prominent Actress in Nigeria at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Best Actress in Nigeria at the City People Entertainment Awards and Best Actress in a Leading role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
#5. Cynthia Okereke
Cynthia Nkiru Okereke is a famous Nollywood actress, television personality, entrepreneur and a philanthropist. She was born on 20 April 1960 in Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria.
Cynthia Okereke completed both her primary and secondary school education in Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria and obtained both her First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate. After completing her education, Cynthia Okereke worked in several organization before settling for acting.
In 1998, Cynthia Okereke joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) and acted in her first Nollywood movie “King Jaja of Opobo.”
She was influence by her friend Obiajulu Nworji, who encouraged her to become one of the casts of the movie “King Jaja of Opobo” which was shot in 1998. In 2003, Cynthia Okereke rose to fame after starring in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Osuofia in London” alongside with Nkem Owoh.
The movie “Osuofia in London” has been regarded as the most expensive and most successful movie Nollywood has ever produced which featured both Nigerian and British actors. The movie was shot in London, United Kingdom and various locations in Nigeria. The movie earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Nigeria at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Cynthia Okereke has acted in more than 180 Nollywood movies.
She always plays the role of a good mother, grandmother, royal queen and mother in-law in Nollywood movies.
Cynthia Okereke in the cause of her acting career has been nominated and won several movie awards in Nigeria which include Most Promising Actress in Nigeria at the City People’s Entertainment Awards, Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards and Best Supporting Actress at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. In 2013, Cynthia Okereke was honored as the “AGN Movie Ambassador” by Actors Guild of Nigeria.
#6. Uche Ogbodo
Uche Ogbodo is an award winning Nigerian actress and film maker born on May 17, 1986.
Uche was born and raised in Enugu state where she had her primary and secondary education.
She is the second born in a family of five children and originally a native of Enugu state.
Ogbodo is quite beautiful, creative and talented which she does not hesitate to flaunt in her movies.
Uche Ogbodo started her acting career after joining the Actors guild of Nigeria in 2006.
She is popular for her intriguing roles in movies most especially that of the movie “Mummy Why”.
She has starred in other movies such as Yankee Girls, Spirit of Twins, Royal Palace and so on.
Uche Ogbodo got married secretly to her lover, Apo Arthur on October 2, 2013 and they have a daughter together. It was also said that both have parted ways for best reason known to them.
Uche has won several awards such as Fashion Icon of the at 2015 Fashion Icon Awards, Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the City People Entertainment Awards, Most Promising Actress in Nigeria at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award.
#7. Destiny Etiko
Destiny Etiko is a Nigerian actress best known for her role in the hit movie, ‘Idemili.’ Destiny attained fame after receiving a nomination for ‘Best Promising Actress’ at ‘City People Entertainment Awards’ for her role in ‘Idemili.’ Thereafter, she got more acting opportunities, becoming one of the most successful Nigerian actresses of recent times. She has won a couple of awards, including the ‘Viewers’ Choice Award’ and ‘Golden Icon Movie Academy Award.’
Destiny Etiko was born on August 2, 1989, in Udi, Enugu, Nigeria. After completing her primary and secondary education in Enugu, Destiny moved to Awka, Anambra in southeastern Nigeria to complete further education. As a young girl, Destiny drew inspiration from her actress mother and decided to follow in her footsteps. In 2011, she entered the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) after registering with the ‘Actors Guild of Nigeria.’ She graduated from ‘Nnamdi Azikiwe University’ in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts. She appeared in minor roles in several films before landing her breakthrough role in the movie, ‘Idemili.’
In 2019, Etiko became a brand ambassador for Kesie Virgin Hair organization.
Etiko in an interview affirmed that she had been a victim of sexual harassment against women by male movie producers who are by far the majority as pertains movie productions in Nigeria. Etiko in 2018 gifted her mum an apartment and praised her for supporting her decision to become an actress. Her father on the other hand had vehemently opposed her decision to become an actress at the initial time. In May 2020, she lost her father.
#8. Rachael OkonkwoNnenna Rachael Okonkwo, born 26 May 1987, Popularly Known as Nkoli Nwa Nsukka is a Nigerian film actress. She is best known for the film of the same name.
Rachael Okonkwo is from Ukpata in Uzo Uwani Local government area of Enugu State , located in South East (Nigeria) .She started acting while she was a child, but due to lack of movie roles she switched career to dancing. She joined Nollywood in 2007 playing very minor roles. In 2008, she played a Supporting role to Ini Edo & Van Vicker in Royal War 2, also in 2010 alongside Patience Ozokwor and John Okafor in Open and Close 1&2. Her first major role and consequently her breakthrough movie came in 2014, where she played the lead character in Nkoli Nwa Nsukka as Nkoli.
#9. Chizzy Alichi
Chigozie Stephanie Alichi popularly known as Chizzy Alichi is a fast rising Nollywood actress and model. She was born on 23 December, 1989 in Enugu State, in the south eastern part of Nigeria. After her primary and secondary school education, she attended Enugu State University of Science and Technology where she read Agricultural Engineering and graduated in 2014.
Chizzy Alichi started her acting career in late 2010 and was not introduced by anyone into the industry. However, she simply registered with the Actors Guild of Nigeria at their office at the National Museum in Enugu and started to attend movie auditions from time to time. Few years later Chizzy Alichi gained worldwide recognition due to her unique acting skill and talent.
Chizzy Alichi rose to fame after starring in the blockbuster movie “The Drop of Blood,” the movie won her Best New Actress of the Year (English) award at the City Peoples Entertainment Awards.
In 2015 Chizzy Alichi was enrolled into the Nigerian mandatory national youth service corps (NYSC) and was posted to Umunya village in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State as her place of primary assignment (PPA).
After her national service which ended in 2016, Chizzy Alichi went back to her acting career and acted in new blockbuster movies alongside with Yul Edochie, Ken Erics, and Mercy Johnson. Chizzy Alichi gained more popularity after featuring in Flavour popular music video “Mmege” where she displayed herself as a beautiful princess.
Chizzy Alichi has acted in more 50 Nollywood movies which includes The Drop of Blood, Throne of Glory, Akaraoku, etc. she has won Best new actress of the year (English) awards at the City Peoples Entertainment Awards. Chizzy Alichi is currently single, but has a boyfriend whom she is currently in a relationship with.
#10. Regina Chukwu
Regina Chinedu Chukwu popularly known as Regina Chukwu is a Nigerian actress and movie producer born on March 23, 1980.
Regina is originally from Enugu state but born and raised in Lagos state where attended Alimosho Grammar school for her secondary education and studied Business Administration at he Lagos state Polytechnic.
She’s quite beautiful and talented having carved a niche for herself in most yoruba movies despite she’s from an Igbo tribe.
Regina started her career as a make-up artist in 2003 before delving fully into acting with features in television soaps such as “Family Ties”, Wale Adenuga’s “Super Story” and “Face to Face”.
Her first movie is Ogunsho followed by Idaro which she did excepetionally well.
Ever since Regina came to limelight, she has been a force to reckon with in the industry with intriguing roles and perfect delivery of her scripts. She has starred in numerous movies such as “Akun”, “Awolu ati Awalu”, “Ewatomi”, “Idaro”, “Ogunso” and many others.
Regina was married before she lost her husband 4 years into the marriage. She’s a single mother of two children; a son, Richard and a daughter, Chiamaka.
#11. Camilla Mberekpe
Camilla Mberekpe is a Nigerian actress and television personality reputed to play wicked roles in most movies.She was born on the 29th of April, 1960 in Enugu state in south eastern Nigeria.
Camilla had primary and secondary education in Enugu where she obtained her first and secondary school certificates respectively. She has worked in various places of interest before settling down fully for acting profession.
Camilla began his acting career when she joined the Nigerian Movie industry in the early 1990s. She has since acted a number of hit movies.
She was however shot to fame and recognition in Nollywood after featuring in a hit movie “Across the River” alongside the big celebrities like Jerry Amilo, Alasco Wariboko and the late Muna Obiekwe. The same movie earned her nomination for best actress in a supporting role at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Camilla Mberekpe is known to take roles of wicked mother in-law, witch, cantankerous woman in most Nollywood movies.
Owing to her wicked roles in movies, there is this wide belief that she is indeed wicked woman because she plays her role brilliantly well to make it real. On the contrary, she is said to be a good and kind-hearted person.
Camilla created a shocking revelation in April 2013 when she visited Synagogue Church in Lagos for deliverance programme. The deliverance was said to have been done by the General Overseer of the Church, Prophet T.B. Joshua and she revealed that she was a witch indeed but was truly delivered that day by Prophet Joshua to the glory of God.
Camilla has in her years of acting earned several awards. They include Best actress in a supporting role at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Most promising actress at the African Movie Academy Awards.
#12. Chidinma and Chidiebere Aneke
Chidinma and Chidiebere Aneke are identical twins. They were born in Enugu state. They became popular by starring in Nollywood films since 2004. The twin sisters are popular and in high-demand in Nollywood.
Popularity came to the twins in 2004, and since then they have kept up the momentum. The sisters starred in such movies as Desperate Twins, Jealous Friends and Revenge of The Gods and many more.
The sisters' career actually started a little earlier than in 2004. The girls appeared in their very first film in 1999. However, according to Aneke sisters’ words, they were forced to take a break from filming so they could finish studying in school and also because their mother insisted. Once they were done with school, the sisters went back to acting in 2003 and have kept their spots in Nollywood since then.
#13. Tina Mba
Tina Mba, 2 October, Enugu State is a Nigerian actress who was nominated for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in the 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
In 2017, she starred in Isoken, Bariga Suger ,Okafor's Law amongst other films, and was described as "actress of the year" by Pulse. At the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards , she was nominated for category, best actress in a comedy. In an interview with The Punch , she disclosed that the secret to her stellar interpretation of roles was from living the character and imagining herself in it. She also stated that she would have preferred theatre to feature films, if she was paid equally for both. In 2016, she acted in Ufuoma , a romantic drama, directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka. In October 2017, she starred in Omoye , which is an advocacy film against sexual violence. In 2017, she acted in the romantic comedy , Isoken alongside, Funke Akindele and Dakore Akande . She plays a mother, putting pressure on her daughter to get married and not be solely focused on her career. In the same year, YNaija recounts her previous roles in Tango with Me, Okafor's Law ,Isoken, etc. while stating that her stellar performances are often not appreciated enough in the industry. It opined that the "Naija" body language she brings to her character gives more realistic expression to her roles.
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